Dad's Challah Bread French Toast

Weekend brunch is a ritual in our home and my dad's Challah Bread French Toast is a staple that is loved by both family and friends.  Paired with scrambled eggs, bacon and a glass or orange juice, this meal gives you that perfect combination of savory and sweet.  Have some left over?  No problem this French Toast freezes well and can be reheated with just about 30-60 seconds in the microwave.  This trick allows me to save individual slices for serving up to my toddler for easy weekday breakfasts as well.

What is Challah Bread?  

Challah is a bread made with eggs, yeast, flour and sugar that is typically prepared/eaten on special occasions by Jewish families.  It is typically recognizable by its braided design but can come in various shapes and flavors.  But the richness of the basic recipe makes it ideal for French Toast.  You can make it at home but its also quite easy to find at most major grocery stores (I've always had particularly good luck at Trader Joe's).

Ingredients

Makes 8 pieces

8 thick slices of Challah bread (Brioche makes a good substitution)

2 whole eggs

¾ cups of whole milk (skim or non-fat will work as well)

1 ½ tsp of vanilla extract

¼ tsp of almond extract (recommended by can be optional is there are issues with allergies)

1 tbsp of ground cinnamon (can increase or decrease depending on taste)

Butter

Instructions

Step 1: Combine eggs, milk, vanilla, and almond extract in a shallow dish (large enough to lay flat your bread slices. Pie pans or large square Tupperware both great work great). Make sure eggs are fully scrambled into the mixture to avoid spots of eggs whites on the toast later. Add about 1 tsp of the cinnamon and combine thoroughly.

Step 2: Heat a large frying pan on medium heat and melt about 1 tsp of butter so the pan is covered with a thin layer of melted butter

Step 3: Dip a slice of the Challah bread into the milk and egg mixture and the flip so that both sides of the bread are well coated.

Step 4: Add coated Challah to the pan and fry until golden brown on both sides (~5 min per side). Step 5: Repeat until all the slices are cooked. Add in additional cinnamon in around 1 tsp increments after every 2 slices or so to ensure each piece is getting cinnamon in its coating. Add additional butter as needed to keep bottom of the pan coated.

Step 6: Serve warm with desired toppings. Our family's favorites are Maple Syrup and/or fresh strawberries.

Tips

1. To save time use a pan or flat griddle that can handle 2-3 slices. Avoid overcrowding the pan.

2. Adding the cinnamon in batches helps ensure each slice gets an even amount of cinnamon. If you add it all at the beginning you risk the first couple of slices getting too much and later slices not really getting any.

3. If you can't find Challah bread, Brioche or any thick cut bread will do.  However, most Trader Joe's or other major groceries stores will carry Challah bread.  

4. If you use plain white sandwich bread be careful not to oversaturate or the toast will be too mushy.  You also likely will get more than the 8 slices out of the egg/milk mixture.  

5. Be careful not to overheat the pan or the french toast will burn. If pan overheats, remove from flame/heat surface to cool and wipe out butter. After a couple of minutes return the pan to heat and add new butter and start again.

6. Add additional butter to slices of cooked french toast before keeping warm. This will make them ready to serve as soon as you